Are You Drawing People to the Lord, or Pushing Them Away?

So, how has your character been lately? If asked this question, what would your answer be? Are you drawing people to the Lord, or pushing them away?

Without even realizing it, as a Christian, you are doing one or the other.

Ideally, as Christians, we should be examples of Godly character. That’s not to say that we have to be perfect. No, in other words we endeavor… we endeavor to walk, talk, think and act like Jesus. We should be able to do this more, and more as we immerse ourselves in God’s word.

Hmm, that’s a lot to think about. I can look at that list and see where I have failed to yield to some of those characteristics. For me, as a mother of four teenagers ages 13, 15, 17 & 18, I think patience is one that I need to work on….

Lets read 1st Corinthians 13: 4-7: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

So, how can we possibly live up to this kind of character?

First of all, we have to practice and remind ourselves that this is how the Lord treats us. Once we do that, we can begin to reflect Him! Every time He looks at us and thinks about us, (His thoughts about us are so numerous, that they outnumber the grains of sand on the earth! Psalm 139:17&18) this is His natural response and character toward us!

No matter what we have done, no matter how we have acted, God responds to us with this kind of character. God is loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and always in self control toward us. Wow!

Secondly, after we begin to think about God’s character, begin to repeat the scriptures out loud- For example, insert your name in the place of love in 1st Corinthians 13: 4-7

Stand in front of the mirror or practice in the car on your way to work. Say:

“I am patient. I am kind. I am not jealous, boastful or proud. I am not rude. I do not demand my own way. I am not irritable, and I do not keep a record of being wronged. I don’t rejoice about injustice, but I rejoice whenever the truth wins out. I never give up. I never lose faith and I am always hopeful. I always endure through every circumstance.”

“I am loving. I am joyful. I am peaceful. I am patient, kind, good and faithful. I am gentle and operate in self control.”

These are Godly characteristics. As we practice saying them and walking in them, we will begin to reflect them and Him. Then people will be drawn to the love of God in us. Jesus was the perfect example of how to treat others. He always showed love and forgiveness. He always spoke the truth and left people healed. We should endeavor to do the same. It will make a difference to the people around us.

Let’s be examples of God’s character and love. Let’s be forgivers, and shower grace on one another. Let’s always speak the truth in love.

If you want to experience God’s love, forgiveness and acceptance in your life then you need to ask Jesus to come and live in your heart and be your Lord and Savior. He is knocking at the door of your heart right now. Think about it- You can even open your mouth and say “Jesus, I don’t know anything about you. But, I want love, forgiveness and acceptance in my life from you. Come live inside of me, take my life and do something with it. I don’t understand this whole faith thing- but, I think I need it.”

He hears you, and is ready and waiting. Why don’t you let him in? It will be the best decision you ever made….